Patterned scarf, method and loom for producing the same

ABSTRACT

The patterned scarf is made up of a first and a second layer of fabric ( 2, 4 ) which are interwoven at the edges ( 6, 8 ). The scarf has colours and/or patterns which are formed with weft threads ( 12 ) by spaced out insertions between warp threads ( 10 ) of the same colour. The warp threads ( 10, 10   a,    10   b,    10   c ) consist of a textured yarn consisting of chemical fibres, in order to improve the appearance of the fringes ( 14 ) at the transverse edges ( 8 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a patterned scarf according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a scarf is suitable, in particular, as a fan's scarf for associations, clubs, companies and the like.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Scarves, in particular fan scarves, are known in large numbers.

[0003] One way of producing such scarves is by knitting a scarf web which is then folded over itself and stitched together along a longitudinal side. Such a scarf then has to be overturned so that the good side is outward. The scarf has soft edges and can be produced from various materials. However, such a scarf has only a very low thread or stitch density, with the result that only rough patterns can be produced. It is not possible to individualize from one scarf to the next. Any fringes have to be produced separately and stitched on at the ends of the scarf.

[0004] Another known way of producing such scarves is by weaving with the warp-and-weft effect. The scarf is produced from two fabric layers which are woven with multicolored warp threads and multicolored weft threads. These layers are interwoven at the edges. The scarves are cut mechanically along the longitudinal edges and stitched over with an overlock seam, in order to prevent fraying. Such scarves produced with the warp-and-weft effect have only low warp density and weft density and therefore make it possible to have only rough patterns with insufficient definition. It is not possible for the scarves to be individualized during the production method. Fringes are formed by means of projecting warp threads in the course of the production of the scarf, but the fringes are ugly since they are multicolored.

[0005] A scarf of the type initially mentioned is known from IT-1 292 000 A and is illustrated in the present FIGS. 1 to 4. This scarf has single-colored warp threads and the patterning is formed by means of multicolored weft threads by spaced-out insertions between the single-colored warp threads. Such a scarf makes it possible to have patterns with good definition and a good purity of the colors and patterns.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to improve further a patterned scarf of the type initially mentioned.

[0007] This object is achieved, according to the invention, by:

[0008] the patterned scarf according to claim 1;

[0009] the method for producing the patterned scarf according to claim 16; and

[0010] a weaving machine for carrying out the method according to claim 24.

[0011] The textured warp threads give the scarf attractive full fringes which come close to those of a knitted scarf. Moreover, the scarf itself acquires a fuller handle.

[0012] Such a scarf may, in principle, be produced from a single web, but it is more advantageous to have at least two-web production on a weaving machine according to claim 16 and the separation of the interconnected scarves by means of a separating device. An efficient production of the scarf can thereby be implemented.

[0013] A weaving machine suitable for producing the scarf is described in claim 24.

[0014] Advantageous refinements of the invention are described in claims 2 to 15 for the scarf, in claims 17 to 23 for the method and in claims 25 to 29 for the weaving machine.

[0015] Various textured yarns are suitable for the warp threads, such as, for example, tortionally textured yarns, shoved and crimped yarns, curled monofilaments textured via a knife edge, airjet-textured loop yarns and the like. It is particularly preferred, however, to have a yarn according to claim 2, which has essentially nontwisted fibers lying open in parallel and which is swirled at defined intervals. Such yarns, despite having high stability in the longitudinal direction which is advantageous for fabric stability, nevertheless have a textured bulky appearance which is suitable for the fringes. The swirling of the fibers of the textured yarn may fluctuate within wide ranges, but a range of between 0.8 and 1.2 cm is particularly preferred. According to claim 3, a wide range is also possible for the fineness of the yarn of the warp threads, preferred results being obtained with the fineness of 160 to 180 dtex.

[0016] Particularly in the case of a yarn of the abovementioned type, optimum patterning possibilities with warp entities or weft densities according to claim 4 are obtained. Yarns composed of chemical fibers of the most diverse possible types may be used for the scarf, according to claim 5 the warp threads preferably consisting of polyester or polyamide. Particularly suitable weft threads consist, according to claim 6, of acrylic, preferably acrylic staple fibers.

[0017] Although the patterning of the scarf is formed basically by the weft threads and their spaced-out insertion between the warp threads, it may be expedient, if appropriate, according to claim 7, to provide the scarf with an additional weave-related patterning by means of the warp threads.

[0018] It is possible, admittedly, to produce each fabric layer so as to be individually patterned. A refinement according to claim 8 is particularly advantageous, however, since the same weft threads can then be used for both fabric layers for patterning purposes. This affords the further advantage that, by the weft threads being changed from one fabric layer to the other, the individual fabric layers are interconnected in regions, with the result that the scarf acquires some stability which improves the serviceability and handle of the scarf.

[0019] According to claim 9, the scarf may have both a word region and a picture region, the weft threads of the two regions being different according to claim 9, the weft threads preferably having greater fineness in the picture region.

[0020] According to claim 10, it is advantageous if the scarf has an individually configurable pattern region, so that such a scarf can be provided during the weaving operation, for example, with the signature of the future user or of a particular idol.

[0021] The unraveling of the scarf or a reworking of the scarf, for example by the edges being stitched together, can be avoided if the scarf is constructed according to claim 12.

[0022] The fringes along the transverse edges are formed, according to claim 13, by the warp threads. In specific instances, it may be advantageous if the scarf also has fringes along the longitudinal edges according to claim 14. By the scarf being constructed according to claim 15, by being roughened it acquires a full velvet-like appearance and a corresponding pleasant handle and good wearing properties.

[0023] The separation of a plurality of scarves produced, multicolored, may be carried out by means of various separating devices. Thus, according to claim 17, a mechanical separating device is possible. A thermal separating device according to claim 18 is particularly effective, but usually leaves behind along the cut edges brows which may be sharp-edged and sawtooth-like and, as a rule, have to be eliminated, so that they are not detrimental to the wearability of the scarf for the user. It is particularly advantageous, therefore, in order to separate the webs, to use, according to claim 19, an ultrasonic separating device which makes it possible to treat the cut edges even during cutting.

[0024] To produce the fringes along the longitudinal edges, it is advantageous, according to claim 20, not to arrange any warp threads in the region provided for forming the fringes and by means of a separating device to cut the continuous weft threads to the length of the fringes to be formed. In principle, all the separating methods may be carried out in separate operations after the weaving machine, but it is more advantageous if the separating operations are carried out directly on the weaving machine according to claim 21. According to claim 22, it is also advantageous to subject the scarves to thermosetting after weaving and separation on the weaving machine, in order to eliminate stresses in the fabric and set the fabric. Advantageously, according to claim 23, the scarves can be cut off to the desired length from the running scarf web on the weaving machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The nearest prior art is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 and exemplary embodiments are described below in FIGS. 5 to 9 with the aid of the drawings in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatical illustration of a known scarf with fringes;

[0027]FIG. 2 shows the scarf of FIG. 1 in a reversed illustration and without fringes;

[0028]FIG. 3 shows a detail of the central region of the known scarf in cross section and on a larger scale;

[0029]FIG. 4 shows a detail of the edge region of the known scarf in cross section and on a larger scale;

[0030]FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the scarf according to the invention;

[0031]FIG. 6 shows a detail of the scarf according to the invention in cross section and on a larger scale;

[0032]FIG. 7 shows a warp thread on a larger scale;

[0033]FIG. 8 shows the two-web production of a scarf with fringes along the longitudinal edges in a diagrammatic illustration; and

[0034]FIG. 9 shows a weaving machine for producing the scarf according to the invention in a diagrammatic illustration and in vertical section.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0035] FIGS. 1 to 4 show the prior art which is also relevant for the present invention and on which the present invention is based. The scarf illustrated in the figures contains a first fabric layer 2 and a second fabric layer 4 which are interwoven along the longitudinal edges 6 and along the transverse edges 8 and thus form a tube closed all-round. Each of the two fabric layers 2, 4 is formed by single-colored warp threads 10, which are independent of the colours to be produced on the scarf, and by multicolored weft threads 12. As can be gathered particularly from FIG. 3, the weft threads 12 are inserted, spaced out, between the warp threads 10, that is to say the weft thread, only in the case of specific warp threads 10 a, is crossed with these and, in the case of the warp threads lob located between them, lies over these, that is to say covers the warp threads 10 b and lies into the region above the warp threads which are to form the pattern. The weave of the weft threads at the warp threads travels on laterally from pick to pick by the amount of at least one warp thread. The warp threads 10 thus appear on the surface at solely spatial and pre-programmed intervals and are at the same time dominated by the weft threads, so that the latter indicate the color and pattern of the fabric and force the warp threads into the background.

[0036]FIG. 4 shows a detail of a longitudinal edge 6 of the scarf along which the fabric layers 2, 4 are interwoven. In this case, the weft thread portions 12 a of the first fabric layer are connected to warp threads 10 of the second fabric layer 4 and weft thread portions 12 b of the second fabric layer 4 are connected to warp threads of the first fabric layer 2.

[0037] The weft threads determine the color and pattern on the good sides of the fabric layer 2, 4. Along the transverse edges 8, the warp threads 10 are free of weft threads and thus form fringes 14.

[0038] Preceding from the prior art outlined above, improvements of the present invention, as compared with this prior art, are described in FIGS. 5 to 9. The reference symbols used in FIGS. 1 to 4 are also used below.

[0039]FIG. 5 describes a scarf according to the invention, in which the fabric layers 2, 4 are interwoven along the longitudinal edges 6 and along the transverse edges 8. Along the longitudinal edges, in each case, at least the outer warp threads are designed as adhesive warp threads 10 c which connect the crossing weft threads 12 to the warp threads 10. In a similar way, at least the first and the last weft thread along the transverse edges 8 are designed as adhesive weft threads 12 c. For illustrative reasons, FIG. 5 illustrates the adhesive warp threads 10 c and the adhesive weft threads 12 c at some distance from the verge, but, in actual fact, they form the outer verge of the longitudinal edges 6 and of the transverse edges 8, as may be gathered from FIG. 6.

[0040] The warp threads 10 form the fringes 14 along the transverse edges. In the present example, fringes 16 are likewise present along the longitudinal edges 6, said fringes being formed by weft threads 12 which project above the longitudinal edges 6 to the desired length and are free of warp threads. The scarf illustrated in FIG. 5 has three different pattern regions. A first pattern region 18 is a lettering region which is reserved, for example, for the name of an association, club, company or the like, such as, for example, here, the football club BENFICA. A second pattern region 20 is a picture region which may contain, for example, the coat of arms or other design. The third pattern region 22 is an individual region which may, for example, be changed from scarf to scarf, with the first and second pattern regions 18, 20 otherwise being the same, and may contain, for example, the name of the wearer or the name of a sportsperson or the like. While a rougher screen definition may be envisaged for the first pattern region 18, the second pattern region 20 and the third pattern region 22 require a finer screen definition which can be achieved, for example, by means of thinner warp threads and a higher weft density.

[0041] It is possible, in principle, for the patterning of the individual fabric layers 2, 4 to be carried out individually for each fabric layer, as shown, for example, by reference to FIG. 3. It is more advantageous, however, if the patterns of the first fabric layer 2 and of the second fabric layer 4 are combined with one another, so that the pattern-forming weft threads 12 d and 12 e run, at the end of a pattern part, from one fabric layer to the other fabric layer. As a result, the negative image of the first fabric layer is formed on the second fabric layer, and, at the same time, the fabric layers are connected to one another during the change of the pattern parts, as may be gathered from FIG. 6.

[0042] The warp threads are expediently formed from a textured yarn according to FIG. 7 which has fibers 24 lying essentially open in parallel and connected to one another at specific intervals by swirling 26. These swirlings may have intervals of 0.5 to 5 cm, but an interval of 0.8 to 1.2 cm is preferred. The warp threads may have a fineness of 55 to 550 dtex, but particularly good results have been achieved with finenesses of 160 to 180 dtex. The warp density is 40 to 60, preferably 48 threads per cm. The weft density advantageously amounts, in each fabric layer, to 20 to 36 threads per cm. Yarns composed of polyester or polyamide are preferably used as warp threads. Yarns composed of acrylic, preferably of acrylic staple fibers, have proved appropriate for the weft threads.

[0043] The production of a scarf of the present type may take place from a single web on weaving machines. A two-web and multiweb production of the scarves, as indicated in FIG. 8, is preferred. FIG. 8 shows the two-web production of scarves which have fringes 16 along the longitudinal edges 6. The scarves 28 a and 28 b are produced in one piece, the weft threads 12 running continuously over both scarves 28 a and 28 b. In the region where the fringes 16 are to be formed, the warp threads 10 are cut out. Separating devices 30 separate the continuous weft threads 12 between the scarves 28 a, 28 b, in order to obtain the fringes 16 of the desired length. When scarves without fringes 16 along the longitudinal edges 6 are to be produced, the scarves are interwoven and the fabric is severed between the scarves by means of corresponding separating devices 30. The separating operation may be carried out by means of separating devices of the most diverse possible types, such as, for example, by means of mechanical or thermal separating devices or ultrasonic separating devices. The latter are preferred, since they make it possible to have a reliable separating operation and at the same time deliver smooth cut edges, in contrast to a thermal cutting device which directly delivers sharp brows.

[0044]FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatical illustration of a weaving machine for producing the scarves 28 a, 28 b of FIG. 8. Warp threads 10 are fed via a warp beam 32 to a shedding device 34. The latter contains a jacquard device 36 which can be controlled according to the pattern by a computer control 38. The jacquard device 36 contains heddles 40 which control the individual warp threads 10 via eyes 42. Weft threads 12 are inserted via a weft insertion device, not illustrated in anymore detail, into the weaving shed 44 opened by the shedding device 34. The weft insertion device is assigned a thread selection device 46 which is connected to the computer control 38 and which feeds threads 48 a, 48 b, 48 c in the desired color to the weft insertion device. By means of a weaving reed 50, the weft threads 12 are beaten up at the cloth verge 52. The weaving reed 50 contains reed dents 54 which are arranged in parallel and ensure a parallel guidance of the warp threads 10 in the desired warp thread density. The scarves thus produced run through a temple 56, in order to maintain them at the desired width. The temple 56 is followed by a separating device 30 in order to separate the scarves 28 a, 28 b from one another, as indicated by reference to FIG. 8. A cloth take-up 58 ensures the necessary longitudinal tension of the scarves at the weaving machine and takes them up. A thermosetting device 60 makes the scarves 28 a, 28 b stress-free before they leave the cloth take-up. A following cross-separation device 62 severs the finished scarves to the desired length. List of Reference Symbols  2 Fabric layer  4 Fabric layer  6 Longitudinal edge  8 Transverse edge 10 Warp thread 10a Warp thread 10b Warp thread 10c Adhesive warp thread 12 Weft thread 12a Weft thread 12b Weft thread 12c Adhesive weft thread 12d Weft thread 12e Weft thread 14 Fringes 16 Fringes 18 First pattern region (lettering region) 20 Second pattern region (picture region) 22 Third pattern region (individual region) 24 Fibers 26 swirling 28a Scarf 28b Scarf 30 Separating device 32 Warp beam 34 Shedding device 36 Jacquard device 38 Computer control 40 Heddle 42 Eye 44 Weaving shed 46 Thread selection device 48a Thread 48b Thread 48c Thread 50 Weaving reed 52 Cloth verge 54 Reed dent 56 Temple 58 Cloth take-up 60 Thermosetting device 62 Cross-separation device 

1. A patterned scarf consisting of a first and a second fabric layer (2, 4) which are interwoven along the edges (6, 8), the scarf having colors and/or patterns which are formed by means of weft threads (12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e) by spaced-out insertions between warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c) of the same color, characterized in that the warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c) consist of a textured yarn composed of chemical fibers.
 2. The scarf as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the textured yarn of the warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c) has nontwisted fibers which lie essentially open in parallel and which are all swirled for 0.5 to 5 cm, preferably 0.8 to 1.2 cm.
 3. The scarf as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c) have a fineness of 55 to 550 dtex, preferably 160 to 180 dtex.
 4. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a warp density of 40 to 60, preferably 48 threads/cm and, in each fabric layer, a weft density of 20 to 36 threads/cm.
 5. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c) consist of polyester or polyamide.
 6. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the weft threads (12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e) consist of acrylic, preferably of acrylic staple fibers.
 7. The scarf as clamed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has additionally a weave-related patterning by means of the warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c).
 8. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, during the color change and/or pattern change of a pattern part, the weft threads (12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e) run from one fabric layer (2) to the other fabric layer (4) so as to connect these.
 9. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has a lettering region (18) and a picture region (20), the weft threads (12) of which are different in terms of fineness and material.
 10. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has an individually configured pattern region (22).
 11. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the outer wall thread (10 c) along the longitudinal edges (6) is an adhesive warp thread (10 c) which connects the crossing weft threads (12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e) and which preferably consists of thermoplastic material.
 12. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least the first and the last weft thread (12 c) along the transverse edges (8) is an adhesive weft thread (12 c) which connects the crossing warp threads (10, 10 a, lob, 10 c) and which preferably consists of thermoplastic material.
 13. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has along its transverse edges (8) fringes (14) formed by means of the warp threads (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c).
 14. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has along its longitudinal edges fringes (16) formed by projecting weft threads (12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e).
 15. The scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is roughened.
 16. A method for producing a scarf as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least two scarves (28 a, 28 b) are produced in one piece, parallel and next to one another, from two webs on a weaving machine, and the scarves (28 a, 28 b) thus connected are separated from one another along the longitudinal edges (6) by means of a separating device (30).
 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that a mechanical separating device (30) is used.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the thermal separating device (30) is used.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that an ultrasonic separating device (30) is used.
 20. The method as claimed in one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, to produce fringes (16) along the longitudinal edges (6) of the scarf, there are no warp threads arranged in the region of the fringes (16) to be formed, and the weft threads (12, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d, 12 e) are cut by means of a separating device (30) to the length of the fringes (16) to be formed.
 21. The method as claimed in one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the separating operation is carried out on the weaving machine.
 22. The method as claimed in one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the scarves are thermoset after weaving and separation on the weaving machine.
 23. The method as claimed in one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that the scarves are cut to the desired length from the running textile web on the weaving machine.
 24. A weaving machine for carrying out the method as claimed in one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that it has a jacquard or heddle frame device (36) for shedding, a weft insertion device with a thread selection device (46), a cloth holding-down device or a temple (56), a separating device (30) in the longitudinal direction, a cloth take-up (58) and a computer controller (38).
 25. The weaving machine as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the separating device (30) is of mechanical design.
 26. The weaving machine as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the separating device (30) is of thermal design.
 27. The weaving machine as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the separating device (30) is of ultrasonically based design.
 28. The weaving machine as claimed in one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that it has a thermosetting device (60).
 29. The weaving machine as claimed in one of claims 24 or 28, characterized in that it has a cross-separation device (62) following the cloth take-up (58). 